THE HYPOPHYSEAL-TESTICULAR AXIS AND SEX ACCESSORY-GLANDS FOLLOWING CHEMICAL SYMPATHECTOMY WITH GUANETHIDINE OF PRE-PUBERTAL TO MATURE RATS

Selective chemical sympathectomy of the internal sex organs of prepube rtal to mature male Wistar rats was performed by chronic treatment wit h low doses of guanethidine. Plasma testosterone and luteinizing hormo ne and the intratesticular level of testosterone were determined. The weight and fructose content of seminal vesicle and ventral prostate we re also investigated. The results showed that sympathetic innervation is related to the control of the hypophyseal-testicular axis as well a s to the growth and potential secretory activity of the male sex acces sory glands.